Landscape
Sutherland Shire
Draft
Sutherland Shire Environmental Specification
Environmental
Specification:
Part 4: Plant Selection Guide
2007
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Introduction
The Landscape Specification is divided into five sections. Part 1- Planting
and Landscaping Guidelines provides information on recommended
landscaping standards and techniques. Part 2 – Specific Uses provides
information on landscaping for specific uses. Part 3 – Locality Guidelines
provides landscaping guidelines for specific locations. This section, Part 4 Plant Selection Guide, contains an extract from the Sutherland Shire Council
publication, ‘Sutherland Shire Plants: A Guide to Indigenous Plant Species
Suitable for Landscape and Revegetation Projects’. This publication has a
system for selecting native plants for revegetation and landscaping. The plants
have been classified according to their suitability for various urban
environmental zones, their landscape uses and their individual characteristics.
Part 5 – Tree protection on Construction Sites provides detailed guidelines for
tree protection.
This section is structured as follows:
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Insert index
1. Native Plants Selection Table
Information from: Sutherland Shire Plants A Guide to Indigenous Plant
Species Suitable for Landscape and Revegetation Projects
The plants listed in these tables are classified according to their landscaping
use, their most suitable urban environmental zone in the Sutherland Shire,
and their individual characteristics. Details of these classifications follow in
Section 2.
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2. Plant Selection Criteria
Information extract from: Sutherland Shire Plants A Guide to Indigenous
Plant Species Suitable for Landscape and Revegetation Projects
2.1. Plant Selection Criteria: Environmental Zones
Urban
The urban areas in the Shire can be divided into four major environmental
zones. The Urban Environmental Zones described here are based on
underlying soil type in conjunction with each area’s particular aspect and
microclimate (see map in this section: ‘Urban Environmental Zones in
Sutherland Shire’).
The degree to which a landscape project successfully integrates with the
surrounding natural environment depends partly on selecting plant species
which occur naturally nearby. To maintain species integrity, applicants are
encouraged to select plants from the recommended Urban Zone, even though
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they may still be able to grow in other zones. This technique of selecting plant
species for landscaping contributes to the achievement of the objectives of
Council’s Greenweb strategy.
The four environmental zones are described below:
Coastal and Estuarine
Areas of Kurnell, Cronulla and parts of Woolooware are underlaid by sand
dunes with soils that are extremely low in nutrient and well-drained. In addition
these are subject to salt laden winds. Species grown under these conditions
are smaller and more compact than if they are grown in protected
environments.
Exposed Ridges
This zone is usually exposed to drying winds, full sun, and receives little
surface run-off. The soils are shallow, low in nutrients and consist of
weathered sandstone, gravely ironstone or pockets of clay. It is a harsh
environment supporting low woodland vegetation with similar species to
sandstone slopes, though not growing as tall. Scribbly Gums, Bloodwoods
and Stringybarks dominate the natural vegetation. Higher areas in Engadine,
Loftus, Gymea, Woronora Heights and Jannali are some suburbs in this zone.
Clay and Shale Plateau
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The uppermost geological stratum in the Shire is the Wianamatta Shale group.
It exists as isolated clay and shale capping over the predominant Hawkesbury
Sandstone layer. Suburbs in this zone include areas of Menai, East
Heathcote, Kirrawee and Caringbah. The soils are higher in nutrients, have a
high water holding capacity and are relatively deep. The indigenous
vegetation is characterised by open forests dominated by Turpentine, Grey
Ironbark and occasionally Sydney Blue Gums.
Sandstone Slopes
The majority of the Shire is situated on sandstone slopes. Outcrops of
sandstone and open Eucalypt forests are typical natural features of these
urban landscapes. The characteristic grey sandy soils are derived from
Hawkesbury Sandstone and are low in nutrients and organic matter.
Frequently encountered are pockets of clay sub-soil derived from shale
lenses.
A variety of microclimates exist depending on slope, aspect, available
moisture, soil depth and other features of the site. A diverse range of plants
are adapted and can be cultivated in these habitats. Many rainforest species
are particularly useful in shady gullies.
Suburbs such as Cronulla, Sylvania Waters, Taren Point and Woolooware are
areas within this zone. Other suburbs in the Shire contain sandstone slopes
with the higher areas either Exposed ridges or Clay/Shale plateaus.
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Map: Urban Environmental Zones in Sutherland Shire
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2.2 Plant Selection Criteria: Landscape Use
Below are some criteria in specifying plants in a landscape plan.
Shade Tolerant
Very few plants can tolerate full shade except for some ferns. Most plants are
capable of growing in a wide range of light levels, but generally flower less,
grow taller and have foliage that is more open when grown in shade. Shade
beneath trees is usually dappled and many understorey species have been
recommended suitable for these conditions. Some trees marked for shade
tolerance are rainforest plants that are adapted to shade when young, but at
maturity will grow in full sun.
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Wet Areas
Shallow poorly drained soils, ponds, creek banks, and seasonally wet sites all
require plant species adapted to soils with periodic high moisture levels. If the
site also experiences dry periods, heavy mulching will be beneficial to retain
soil moisture. A selection of species suitable for stormwater detention and
retention ponds and constructed wetlands has been included in the Special
Uses section.
Screening
Good screening qualities in plants are an essential ingredient in urban
landscaping. It is often difficult to attain this with a single row of plants. A
staggered double row, if space permits, is more effective. Some trees or large
shrubs are suitable for screening once they reach a particular height, however
as they mature and the lower foliage drops they become less effective. Careful
planning incorporating a mixture of appropriate trees, shrubs and understorey
plants will provide a long term screen. Pruning encourages dense branching
and the best screening plants should tolerate some pruning. Consideration of
sight lines from elevated living areas or multistorey buildings is often
overlooked and can require larger trees strategically placed to give privacy
instead of using only shrubs. Climbers can be incorporated into screening
design by growing them over lattice, wire fences or pergolas. Narrow spaces
can be treated successfully in this way.
Bird Attracting
Birds utilise vegetation for food, shelter, and nesting materials. Plants provide
food in the form of nectar, fruit and seeds. Insects are associated with most
plants and are an important food source for birds. Insects should be regarded
as a positive aspect in the garden rather than pests. Some birds prefer dense
prickly shrubs for protection or nesting sites, while others require hollows in
old trees. Existing old trees with hollows are invaluable and worth preserving,
providing they are safe. Consider pruning existing dead trees and retaining
them.
Potential habitat for a variety of birds can be created on site by selecting a
diversity of plant species. Creating plantings with structural diversity, ie a
range of vegetation levels, texture and densities is just as important in
attracting birds as selecting plants for a food source.
Choose seed and nectar producing plants, utilise plants that flower at different
times and underplant with prickly species to create a dense cover from
predators and encourage insects.
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Bush Tucker / Aboriginal Use
The Aborigines were intimately aware of their environment and nurtured a
precise knowledge and understanding of the local flora. Except for a few
shreds of superficial information, knowledge of the skilful use of plants that
was learnt and passed on for hundreds of generations is largely lost. Berries,
stems, roots, gum, nectar and seeds were a large part of the aborigines’ diet.
Bark was fashioned into canoes and used to wrap food prior to cooking, while
timber was made into tools and utensils. The fibre of many local plants was an
important resource in the manufacture of hand woven nets and bags.
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The regular onset of flowering by specific plants was read like a calendar,
indicating the appropriate time for the collection of molluscs, crabs, fruits and
other events.
Many people find it fascinating knowing the traditional uses of indigenous
plants.
Incorporating them into a landscape design adds special interest while
promoting an appreciation of Aboriginal skills and culture.
• Before tasting any bush tucker further advice should be sought from experts
or relevant literature.
Rainforest Garden
The Sutherland Shire contains small littoral rainforest communities along
sheltered bays near the coast, in the national parks at Towra Point and Palm
Jungle. Small remnants are located in urban areas including Darook Park,
Marina Crescent Reserve, Lilli Pilli Point and Grays Point reserves. The
northern limit of the Illawarra subtropical rainforests occur in the Shire on the
banks of the upper Hacking River in the Royal National Park.
Rainforest trees in the Shire don’t grow as tall as the same species growing in
northern NSW or QLD because of limiting local environmental conditions such
as cooler temperatures, poorer soils and less rainfall. Garden specimens
mostly only reach a fraction of the potential size they attain in the local rain
forests.
The dense leafy foliage, interesting fruits and their longevity make rainforest
plants excellent specimens when cultivated in sheltered gardens with
adequate soil moisture. Native rainforest birds such as the Brown Pigeon,
White Headed Pigeon and Satin Bowerbirds can be attracted to rainforest
fruits in urban gardens. Creating a rainforest garden should only be attempted
where moist sheltered conditions exist.
Selecting plants for shaded south facing slopes or sites between buildings can
be difficult. If space permits, rainforest trees and shrubs can be utilised in
these situations. As they grow beyond the shaded area they are mostly
capable of tolerating the exposure to full sun.
Rainforest gardens benefit from heavy mulching. Soil fertility and structure is
improved, moisture is retained and weeds are suppressed.
Feature Plant
Feature plants need to possess strong aesthetic qualities, which allow them to
be used independently, and not necessarily part of a mass planting. They
need to be long lived, have a strong predictable form and usually display
attributes such as attractive flowers, fruits and/ or bark. Often they are used as
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specimen plants to provide shade in lawns and courtyards or as a focal point
in the landscape.
2.3 Plant Selection Criteria: Plant Characteristics
Showy Flowers
Some of our indigenous flora is quite spectacular and well known like the
Waratah, Gymea Lily, Bottle Brush and Christmas Bush. Other species have
more modest and unusual flowers and go largely unnoticed such as the
Trigger Plants, Guinea Flowers, Pomax and Rusty Petals. Plant breeders and
nursery persons have developed several groups of plants to produce large
showy flowers including many Grevilleas, Bottle Brushes and Melaleucas.
Interesting Fruit / Seed Pods
Our local vegetation not only possesses unique and interesting flowers but
also produces unusual and sometimes bizarre fruits (a structure produced
after flowering that contains seed is called a “fruit”). The familiar Gum nuts,
Wattle pods, Banksia cones and the fleshy Lillypilly add an interesting
dimension to the garden.
2.4 Rare / Uncommon
Many nationally registered rare or threatened plants occur in the Shire within
national parks, crown land and bushland reserves. Several plants are
considered threatened under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act
(1995) and are indicated as such. Other species have a limited distribution in
the Shire and are considered locally uncommon or significant, even though
they may be adequately conserved or occur frequently in other parts of NSW
or Australia.
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Propagating and introducing rare or uncommon plants into cultivation can help
preserve and bring to the attention of the community species that may
otherwise be endangered or unknown.
The Rare Or Threatened Australian Plant database (ROTAP) by Hartley &
Leigh (1996) uses a coding system to indicate the degree of risk rare plants
are exposed to. This national system has been used here and is summarised
below.
2.5 Rare or Threatened Australian Plant Coding System
Distribution code:
1
2.
3
Known only from original specimen collected
Geographic range < 100km
Geographic range > 100km.
Conservation status:
X
Presumed extinct.
E
Endangered. Serious risk of disappearing in the next
few decades.
V
Vulnerable. Not presently endangered but at risk by
incremental losses through changed land use.
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R
K
C
Rare.Represented by a large population in a restricted
area or a small population spread over a large area.
Poorly known species, suspected of being in one of the
above categories.
Population reserved in national park or reserves
Size- class of all reserved populations:
a
Adequately reserved (> 1000 plants)
i
Inadequately reserved (< 1000 plants)
t
Total population reserved
+
Natural distribution beyond Australia
Reserved population size not accurately known
Example
Acacia pubescens 2VCa
A rare shrub confined to the Sydney region found in open forests on clay soils.
It has a geographic range of less than 100 km; vulnerable due to urban
expansion and has over 1000 plants adequately reserved, some within
national parks or nature reserves.
Plants may be listed as uncommon. For example Hackberry (Celtis
paniculata), is a tree considered locally uncommon as it is only recorded in the
Shire at isolated occurrences at Grays Point, Lilli Pilli Point and in Royal
National Park. However it is found in littoral rainforests from Kiama to
Queensland and therefore is not listed on the nationally rare or threatened
species list.
2.6 National State and locally significant flora of
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(NOTE: The information in this table is current as of August 2007.
For updated information contact Council’s Natural Areas Manager)
The following species are either:
 Nationally significant-Listed on the Briggs and Leigh Rare or Threatened
Australian Plants (ROTAP) database.
 Federally listed on the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation
(EPBC) Act 1999.
 NSW significant-Listed on schedule 1or 2 of the NSW Threatened Species
Conservation (TSC) Act 1995.
Locally significant(Sa) occurring in less than 10 urban locations but adequately reserved in a
regional national park.
(Si) occurring in less than 10 urban locations but inadequately reserved in
a regional national park.
(An Urban location is a Council or Crown Reserve or
on private property.)
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Height
The height that a plant will reach in a landscape planting is probably the most
difficult characteristic to determine. The heights of plants in the table indicate
their expected range under cultivation.
A plant grown on the coast, exposed to harsh environmental conditions, may
exhibit a dense low form only a metre tall. The same plant may reach several
metres if cultivated in a garden in a sheltered gully. Conversely a tree may
reach enormous proportions in the subtropical rainforests of the Royal
National Park, however if grown on the poorer sandstone soils in the Shire it
will only attain a fraction of its potential height.
The Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) for example, occurs along the upper
Hacking River as a large 30m tree. Old specimens used as street trees in the
Shire often only reach 3-4m.
Several species such as the Port Jackson Mallee (Eucalyptus obstans) are
maintained at a height of 2.5m by the pruning effects of the natural fire regime.
In an urban situation the exclusion of fire will allow these and other species to
grow taller than they normally do. To maintain many species in a dense low
habit, or mallee form, they can be pruned close to the ground (coppiced). The
plants will re-shoot from a swollen rootsystem or lignotuber below the soil in
the same way they do after fire.
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Width
The width of a plant can be greatly affected by the amount of available space
and the amount of light it receives. Single trees in an open sunny position
often develop a broad spreading crown. When planted in a grove the same
tree may only produce a narrow sparse canopy.
Shrubs will perform in a similar manner in response to light and this will need
to be taken into account when selecting for a specific site. Species in the
selection table marked with an “x” usually have long rhizomes (underground
stems) or stolons (stems that run above the ground) and are capable of
spreading over a wide area.
2.6 References and Further reading
Sutherland Shire Urban Tree Policy
Sutherland Shire Council (1991)
Sutherland Shire Biodiversity Strategy
Sutherland Shire Council (1998)
Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney
Les Robinson (1994)
Kangaroo Press Kenthurst NSW 2156
Native Plants of the Sydney District
Alan Fairley & Phillip Moore (1989)
Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst NSW 2156
In association with The Society for Growing Australian Native Plants NSW Ltd
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Flora of New South Wales
Vol 1-4
Gwen Harden (1993)
Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney\NSW University Press. Kensington NSW 2033
Australian Ferns and Fern Allies
DL Jones & S C Clemesha (1993)
Currawong Press Chatswood NSW 2067
Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia
Alex Floyd (1989)
Forestry Commission of NSW
Inkata Press Sydney
Useful Wild Plants in Australia
AB Cribb & JW Cribb (1986)
Collins Pty Ltd Sydney NSW
Rare or Threatened Australian Plants
JD Briggs & JH Leigh (1996)
CSIRO Publishing Collingwood VIC 3066
The NSW State of the Environment Report
Environmental Protection Authority NSW (1996)
799 Pacific Highway
PO Box 1135 Chatswood NSW 2057
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Green Web-Sydney. A Vegetation Management Plan For The Sydney
Region
Birgit Seidlich (1997)
The Sydney Regional Organisations Of Councils
C/- Sydney City Council Sydney NSW 2000
Draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy
(1997)
National Parks & Wildlife Service. Hurstville NSW 2220
Managing Urban Stormwater- Treatment Techniques
and Constructed Wetland Operations & Maintenance Manual
NSW Environment Protection Authority (1996;97)
The State Stormwater Coordinating Committee.
Chatswood NSW 2057
Stormwater Management Policy and Guidelines
Sutherland Shire Council (1997)
Sydney Coastal Councils Group. Coastal Environment Centre
PO Box 882 Mona Vale NSW 2103
Managing your wetland- A practical guide for landholders
Nan Oates (1994)
Vic Wetlands Trust Inc.&
The Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources.
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Building in Bushfire-prone Areas
G Caird Ramsay; Denis Dawkins (1993)
CSIRO Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
and Standards Australia
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